Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: I have the honor to inform you that an armed schooner under the insurgent flag, bearing the name of Retribution, and commanded by a man named Lock, said to be a native of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, has recently captured many United States vessels in the waters of the West Indies. Among her victims was the schooner Hanover, of Boston. This department has reliable information that the Hanover, in charge of a prize crew, was taken to Long cay, (Fortune island,) Bahamas, where her cargo was sold without any previous judicial process, the vessel loaded with salt and despatched to an insurgent port, for the purpose of running the blockade. It is also represented that the magistrates and other officers at Long cay knew that the Hanover had been captured by the Retribution.
I have the honor to request that the attention of the proper British authorities be invited to this subject in order that if, upon investigation, the facts should appear to be as above represented, the reparation which this government would have a right to expect may be granted.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, your lordship’s obedient servant,
Right Hon. Lord Lyons, &c., &c., &c.